Phone:
Nexium Lawsuit
Nexium and Nexium 24HR (esomeprazole) are antacid medications manufactured by AstraZeneca and intended to treat problems like acid reflux and heartburn. It is also a commonly prescribed treatment for cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Nexium is considered a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a type of antacid that interferes with the proton transport system of certain stomach cells, thereby limiting acid production. While these drugs do achieve the goal of reducing stomach acid, PPIs have become the subject of much controversy regarding possible links to serious and life-threatening health risks.
Why Are So Many Nexium Lawsuits Being Filed?
Although proton pump inhibitor drugs are not new to medicine, only recently have concerns about possible long-term health risks come to light. Patients who have taken Nexium and later developed other health issues have begun to question whether those problems may have resulted from their use of PPIs. With doctors and researchers worldwide naming PPI medications as the prime suspect, patients have begun filing lawsuits to receive compensation for the harm done.
Perhaps the greatest concern with regard to PPI side effects is growing evidence linking it to the development of a condition called interstitial nephritis, which occurs when the space between the renal tubules of the kidneys become inflamed. When this area is swollen, the function of the kidneys can be negatively affected. This can result in kidney failure.
What Is Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure, also known as renal failure, occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to adequately filter and remove waste products and excess fluids from the blood. The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the body’s overall health by regulating electrolyte balance, blood pressure, and the production of red blood cells. When kidney function deteriorates, these vital functions are compromised, leading to a buildup of waste and fluid in the body, which can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences.
Kidney failure is typically classified into two main types:
- Acute Kidney Failure (Acute Renal Failure) – This type of kidney failure develops rapidly over a short period, often days to weeks. Acute kidney failure can be reversible if the underlying cause is identified and treated promptly.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (Chronic Renal Failure) – Chronic kidney disease is a long-term and progressive condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their function over months or years. As kidney function declines, waste products and fluids accumulate in the body, leading to various complications.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the most severe form of kidney failure, when the kidneys have lost nearly all their function. At this stage, patients require either dialysis or a kidney transplant to replace the lost kidney function.
What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Failure?
The symptoms of kidney failure vary depending on the stage and severity of the condition. In the early stages of kidney failure, you might not experience noticeable symptoms. However, as kidney function continues to decline, the following symptoms and signs may develop:
- Fatigue – Feeling extremely tired or weak, even after getting enough rest.
- Swelling (Edema) – Accumulation of fluid in the body, leading to swelling in the ankles, legs, face, or hands.
- Decreased Urine Output – Either less urine than usual, or having difficulty urinating.
- Shortness of Breath – Difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity or while lying down, due to excess fluid buildup in the lungs.
- Nausea and Vomiting – Feeling nauseated, vomiting, and having a loss of appetite.
- Muscle Cramps – Painful muscle cramps, particularly in the legs, caused by imbalances in electrolytes like potassium and calcium.
- Itching – Persistent skin itchiness, often due to the buildup of waste products in the blood.
- Trouble Concentrating and Confusion – Difficulty focusing, memory problems, and confusion due to the buildup of toxins in the blood.
- High Blood Pressure – Kidneys help regulate blood pressure, so when they are not functioning properly, it can lead to hypertension.
- Changes in Urination – Urine might appear foamy, dark, or bloody.
- Swelling of the Face – Swelling around the eyes and face, often in the morning.
- Metallic Taste in the Mouth – An unusual metallic or ammonia-like taste in the mouth.
- Anemia – A decreased number of red blood cells, leading to fatigue, weakness, and pale skin.
These symptoms can also indicate other health conditions, so they should not be used as a sole basis for diagnosis. If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are persistent or worsening, consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.
Other Disorders Linked to Nexium
Kidney failure is not the only issue healthcare professionals are concerned about; there have also been investigations into the potential links between drugs like Nexium and the development of dementia, vitamin deficiencies, bone density issues, heart disease, and other very serious health conditions.
Studies of these issues are not as plentiful as the research on kidney failure, but the results that have been published have still been alarming. For example, a 2016 German study recently suggested that those taking PPI drugs could have a 44% risk of developing dementia.
More recently, another study found that the use of PPIs can increase the risk of serious infections in children.
Nexium Recall History
In June 2015, AstraZeneca issued a voluntary recall of one particular lot of Nexium 20 mg capsules. This recall was prompted by the discovery that several bottles from that lot contained capsules of the antipsychotic medication Seroquel XR at 150 mg instead of the 20 mg Nexium capsules. As a Class II recall, patients were not required to be notified unless their doctors suspected a direct health risk.
Several other recalls have been issued by manufacturers of generic esomeprazole, mainly for minor reasons. Despite recent safety concerns and ongoing FDA reviews, no other major Nexium recalls have been issued thus far.
The Dangerous Potential Side Effects of Nexium
In addition to worries about kidney disease and other such long-term repercussions of PPI use, Nexium and Nexium 24HR pose the risk of side effects even in the short term.
Examples of such side effects include (but are by no means limited to) the following:
- Gastrointestinal pain and distress
- Vomiting
- Lymphatic disorders
- Pancreatitis
- Liver failure
- Low blood magnesium
- Muscle and nerve disorders
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Male breast enlargement
- Skin disorders
- Hair loss
How Do I Find Out If I Can File a Lawsuit Against Nexium?
If you believe you’ve been a victim of harm from Nexium, you may be owed compensation for your losses. However, not every situation can be deemed suitable for a lawsuit. Determining whether you have a case for legal action must be done through careful consideration of factors like the severity of the harm done, the details of your medical records, and how likely it is that your use of Nexium is the cause of your ailments. To truly determine if you are able to file a Nexium lawsuit, you’ll want to speak with a lawyer who is experienced in the fields of drug safety and personal harm. Your attorney will be able to look at all the information you provide and use their legal expertise to make a conclusion.
Existing Nexium Lawsuits and Settlements
Thousands of lawsuits have already been filed alleging harm caused by Nexium and other proton pump inhibitor drugs. In late 2017, many of these lawsuits were pulled together into a single multidistrict litigation (MDL)—a type of legal action in which the suits remain separate but are considered as a group under a single court.
To date, no Nexium lawsuit settlements have been issued for this MDL. As of August 2023, there were still 12,833 pending Nexium lawsuits. While plaintiffs and their lawyers wait for the trials to begin, other lawsuits concerning PPIs like Nexium continue to be filed across the country.
AstraZeneca has also faced several other PPI lawsuits, including one involving deceptive marketing practices meant to push consumers toward Nexium when the company’s patent for Prilosec ran out. This lawsuit alone yielded a settlement of $20 million in 2015. In that same year, another manufacturer paid out $24 million for being caught conspiring with AstraZeneca to suppress the production of generics.
Have You Suffered Harm as a Result of Taking Nexium? We Can Help!
As a patient seeking the medical expertise of a doctor, you trust that you’ll be given an appropriate treatment that is safe for you to take as directed. Unfortunately, your doctor also has to trust that the pharmaceuticals they offer you have been properly tested and won’t pose any known risks to your health. When things go wrong, the manufacturers who failed to provide a safe drug need to be held accountable. That’s where the harmful drug lawyers at Saunders & Walker P.A. come in.
Our attorneys have decades of experience representing those who have suffered personal harm from unsafe products. Not only will we help you determine whether you have a case for a Nexium kidney lawsuit, we’ll help you build a strong, evidence-backed case to fight for the compensation you deserve. Not sure how to take legal action? We’ll teach you everything you need to know and guide you through the process of filing your Nexium lawsuit so that you can focus on your health and life.
To learn more about how we can help, contact us online or call us at (727) 579-4500 and schedule a free consultation with a lawyer.
Sources: